NEW DELHI: The Australian government on Thursday awarded 60 scholarships to Indian scholars to undertake study and research in the country.

"I congratulate the successful recipients of Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships. The fact that 60 Indians were selected for this award is a testament to the talents in this country," said Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling.

The number of Indians receiving scholarship have increased to 60 from 40 recipients in 2014.

The recipients will undertake study or research at vocational, postgraduate, and postdoctoral level or undertake professional development at some of Australia's most prestigious universities across a broad range of academic fields.

"The Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships facilitate knowledge sharing, strengthen mutual understanding between Indian and Australian scholars and build international networks. This serves to reinforce our strong and enduring bilateral relations with India," said Suckling.

The scholarships for the academic year 2015 have been given to 528 international students and 154 to Australians to undertake study and research overseas and three of them will be traveling to India in 2015.